Arrangement for air conditioning at least one cushioned surface

Abstract

An arrangement comprising an upholstery support structure associated with at least one upholstered surface and a thermoelectric device comprising a cold side and a warm side with heat exchange surfaces opposite one another horizontally, and which are connected together in a heat conducting manner via a Peltier element. A fan fluidically connected to the thermoelectric device via a connecting element forming a cavity. In accordance with a weight acting on the at least one upholstered surface, adjusting air distribution through the cold side and the warm side.

1 . An arrangement comprising:
 an upholstery support structure associated with at least one upholstered surface;   a thermoelectric device comprising a cold side and a warm side with heat exchange surfaces opposite one another horizontally which are connected together in a heat conducting manner via a Peltier element;   a fan fluidically connected to the thermoelectric device via a connecting element forming a cavity; and   in accordance with a weight acting on the at least one upholstered surface, adjusting air distribution through the cold side and the warm side.   
     
     
         2 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric device includes a housing, and wherein the air distribution is adjustable with at least one dimensionally stable air baffle extending beyond an outer circumference of the housing into the cavity formed by the connecting element. 
     
     
         3 . The arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one dimensionally stable air baffle extends horizontally into the cavity formed by the connecting element. 
     
     
         4 . The arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one dimensionally stable air baffle comprises a single piece with the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one dimensionally stable air baffle is fastened on the housing via a frame 
     
     
         6 . The arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein the Peltier element includes the at least one dimensionally stable air baffle. 
     
     
         7 . The arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one dimensionally stable air baffle is arranged on the Peltier element. 
     
     
         8 . The arrangement according to  claim 2   7 , wherein the at least one dimensionally stable air baffle is formed by a lengthening of at least one of the heat exchange surfaces. 
     
     
         9 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting element is reversibly deformable as a function of the weight. 
     
     
         10 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting element comprises an elastomer material. 
     
     
         11 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting element comprises a bellows. 
     
     
         12 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting element is detachably fastened on a housing of the thermoelectric device. 
     
     
         13 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan includes a fan housing, and wherein the connecting element is detachably fastened to the fan housing. 
     
     
         14 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the thermoelectric device and the fan is pivotably mounted on the upholstery support structure. 
     
     
         15 . An arrangement comprising:
 an upholstery structure;   a thermoelectric device including a device housing associated with the upholstery structure, the thermoelectric device comprising a cold side and a warm side with heat exchange surfaces facing opposite directions;   a Peltier element connecting the heat exchange surfaces;   a fan including a fan housing associated with the upholstery structure;   a connecting element fluidly connecting the fan with the thermoelectric device, wherein the connecting element comprises a cavity; and   at least one baffle, wherein in accordance with a weight acting on the upholstery structure, adjusting air distribution through the cold side and the warm side with the at least one baffle.   
     
     
         16 . The arrangement according to  claim 15 , wherein the connecting element comprises a bellows extending between the fan housing and the device housing. 
     
     
         17 . The arrangement according to  claim 15 , wherein one or both of the fan housing and the device housing are pivotally mounted to the upholstery structure. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 associating a thermoelectric device with an upholstery structure, wherein the thermoelectric device comprises a cold side and a warm side with heat exchange surfaces facing opposite directions;   connecting the heat exchange surfaces with a Peltier element;   associating a fan with the upholstery structure;   fluidly connecting the fan with the thermoelectric device with a connecting element that comprises a cavity; and   in accordance with a weight acting on the upholstery structure, adjusting air distribution through the cold side and the warm side with a at least one baffle.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the thermoelectric device includes a device housing, and wherein the fan includes a fan housing, and the method including:
 pivotally mounting the fan housing to the upholstery structure; or   pivotally mounting the device housing to the upholstery structure   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the connecting element comprises a bellows, and including extending the bellows between the fan housing and the device housing.